Nov 26, 2018

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2:37PM

MRI scans may predict dementia risk before symptoms appear

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Scientists have found that MRI brain scans can help predict whether a person will develop dementia in the next three years before the symptoms of the disorder appear. In a study, researchers from Washington University and the University of California, San Francisco in the US used magnetic resonance imaging MRI, brain scans to predict dementia with 89 per cent accuracy.

The findings suggest that doctors may one day be able to use widely available tests to tell people their risk of developing dementia before symptoms arise. Cyrus A Raji, an assistant professor at Washington University has said that a single MRI scan can predict dementia on average 2.6 years before memory loss is clinically detectable. This could help doctors advise and care for their patients

Although there are no drugs available yet to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease, identifying those at high risk of developing dementia within the next few years could still be beneficial. People could make decisions on their financial and living arrangements while they are still in full control of their faculties.

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